Gem inspired hotel would be perfect for Dubai, says architects

The proposed Amethyst Hotel is shaped like a rock-face and features a facade that has the appearance of violet-coloured crystals and its designers said: “Dubai would probably be the ultimate fitting location for The Amethyst Hotel… a surreal addition to the mesmerising skyline – a sublime symbiosis.”

The Amsterdam-based firm says it is envisioning a chain of striking hotel towers with designs based on the “positive powers” of amethyst, a variety of quartz used in jewellery.

With violet-coloured “crystals” for windows the hotel rooms are centred on a large void, providing natural light with a circular corridor connecting all the interior spaces.

It is intended by the designers that the luxury hotels would be situated in stunning locations around the world, with the first planned for China’s Ocean Flower, a man-made island currently under development in the sea north of Hainan.

But the company is also looking to the Gulf region. “We imagine that Dubai would be the perfect habitat for a gem like the Amethyst Hotel” said NL Architect designer Kamiel Klaasse.

“We very much hope that we will be able to attract a hotelier that would be able to build a chain of these, all slightly different, all special on different locations.”

NL Architects said a sliced amethyst geode – defined as a rock with surprising properties – is celebrated in the hotel in which “a particularly uplifting space comes into being”.

A spokesperson for the company said: “A large number of miraculous powers are attributed to the amethyst in all sorts of cultures. It was said to bring good fortune in war and in the hunt, protect crops against tempests and locusts, drive out evil spirits and inspire the intellect.

NL Architects said it was inspired by amethyst as it “calms and cools excessive emotions and eases the transition to a more meditative state”.

Amethyst is also traditionally said to strengthen the immune system and help heal imbalances of the respiratory tract and skin.

The spokesperson added: “Amethyst has the capacity to purify any space of negative vibrations. It calms and cools excessive emotions and eases the transition to a more meditative state by clearing the unnecessary mind clutter.”